Israel hit by mostly unorganised ‘wave of terror’: Netanyahu

Jerusalem: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said today Israel was facing a “wave of terror” that was mostly unorganised, pledging action against those inciting violence, but warning there was no “magic solution.”

“We are in the midst of a wave of terror of knives, firebombs, stones and live fire,” Netanyahu told reporters after days riots in east Jerusalem and the West Bank and a spate of stabbing attacks targeting Israelis.

“These actions are mostly not organised, but they are all the result of wild and untruthful incitement from Hamas, from the Palestinian Authority, from several neighbouring counties and, no less, from the Islamic Movement in Israel.”

The unrest has sparked fears that a third Palestinian uprising, or intifada, could erupt.

Authorities have wrestled with how to respond, with far-right politicians calling for forceful action and security officials, Netanyahu and Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas seeking to avoid an escalation.

Four new stabbings wounded Israelis Thursday, and one of the assailants was shot dead.

A Palestinian was also shot dead by Israeli security forces when clashes broke out in east Jerusalem as security forces went to search the home of one of the alleged attackers.

Over the past week, four Israelis have been killed along with seven Palestinians, four of them after alleged attacks on Israelis.